Composite ablation instructions on an anatomical map

Abstract

This invention provides a system and method for real-time planning and monitoring of cardiac ablation using anatomical maps. [Solution] The method includes receiving an anatomical map of the wall tissue of at least a portion of the cardiac chambers. During the application of ablation, the positions of the electrodes 26 of the catheter 14 within the cardiac chambers are received. At least some of the electrode positions are projected onto the surface of the map. The shortest path is found between pairs of projected positions of adjacent electrodes. Some of the paths are indicated by a first indication representing continuous ablation when the path has a path length below a given threshold path length. Other paths are indicated by a second indication representing ablation gaps, based on the shape of the catheter. Grid ablation tags are generated according to the first and second indications and the ablation model.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure generally relates to cardiac ablation, and more specifically, to systems and methods for real-time planning and monitoring of cardiac ablation using anatomical maps.

Background Art

[0002] Providing indications of ablation points on an anatomical map of the inner wall of a cardiac chamber has already been proposed in the patent literature. For example, U.S. Patent 10,588,692 projects the positions of sites in a three-dimensional coordinate system onto a simulation plane, identifies a set of shortest three-dimensional paths corresponding to two-dimensional connections between the projected positions of the sites, and reports a gap as the longest one in the set to explain how gaps between multiple ablation sites in the heart can be found.

[0003] A more complete understanding of the present disclosure will be obtained by reading the following detailed description of the embodiments of the disclosure in conjunction with the drawings.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0004] [Figure 1] Schematic illustrative diagram of a catheter-based electroanatomical (EA) mapping and ablation system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 2] Schematic illustrative diagram of ablation indications on the map surface of a cardiac chamber after ablation of the cardiac chamber by a loop catheter according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 3] Ablation map of a cardiac chamber derived using the disclosed composite ablation indication algorithm according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 4] Flowchart schematically showing a method for generating an ablation map of a cardiac chamber according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0005] overview In cardiac ablation procedures such as pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) to treat atrial fibrillation, physicians ablate tissue within a specific anatomical region (e.g., around the entire circumference of the PV orifice). Ablations, such as those using pulsed-field ablation (PFA) techniques, may require multiple repetitions to completely cover the entire circumference of the pulmonary vein orifice. Each repetition requires moving the multi-electrode ablation catheter to areas that the physician deems inadequately or completely unablated.

[0006] The physician may be assisted by an ablation map that includes an anatomical 3D map displaying graphically encoded ablation tags to indicate where ablation has already been performed. The ablation tags include those located on the surface of the anatomical 3D map, initially located close enough to the surface of the anatomical 3D map, and projected onto the surface.

[0007] However, projecting ablation data onto an anatomical map surface can, for various reasons, result in an inaccurate representation of the location and continuity of ablation indicators on the surface of anatomical structures. 1. The anatomical map surface may not necessarily represent the actual anatomical structure due to various factors (e.g., catheter movement as a result of respiration, a small number of anatomical data points collected during mapping, mapping errors, etc.). 2. The ablation catheter can move (e.g., push) local anatomical structures from their normal position by applying force to the tissue before or during ablation. 3. Complex multi-electrode catheters (e.g., loop catheters or multi-spine catheters such as flower catheters or basket catheters), especially those used for bipolar ablation, may generate ablation tags that are not properly projected by nearest neighbor projection, mainly for the following reasons: 3.1. Bipolar ablation generates a current flow (or electromagnetic field within the PFA) between the ablation electrode and the nearest tissue, and therefore generates a current flow (or electromagnetic field within the PFA) between the ablation electrodes, in contrast to unipolar focal ablation, which is more suitable for nearest-nearest projection. 3.2. Misrepresentation on projected indicators (e.g., graphically encoded grid tags) on a map of ablation gaps between specific electrodes that were not part of a bipolar ablation sequence, such as the proximal and distal electrodes of a loop catheter. 3.3. Lack of continuity between projected ablation indicators (e.g., grid tags) representing pairs of electrodes that were part of a bipolar ablation sequence. Such lack of continuity can give the physician the impression of an ablation gap in this area, primarily due to artifacts of anatomical surface mapping as described in paragraphs 3.1 and 3.2 above.

[0008] Another issue contributing to inaccurate representation of location and ablation continuity on the map (e.g., misrepresenting ablation gaps) is the limited number of ablation data points, which stems from the clinical motivation to achieve continuous blockade of arrhythmias while minimizing damage to cardiac tissue. Consequently, each incorrect ablation location on the map can be significant.

[0009] The aforementioned and other problems can cause ablation indicators (e.g., graphically encoded tags) to fail to indicate existing ablation gaps or to incorrectly indicate ablation gaps when none exist. Such errors make it difficult for physicians to determine where further ablation is needed or where it is not.

[0010] The examples of the disclosure described herein provide ablation mapping techniques that consistently show ablation gaps and significantly eliminate the inaccuracies caused by the problems listed above.

[0011] In one embodiment, the processor performs the following disclosed algorithmic steps. 1. Project the electrode positions of the multi-electrode catheter onto the anatomical map surface using any suitable projection method only when the distance to the map surface is less than the threshold projection distance (e.g., less than 7 mm). 2. Use a shortest path algorithm (such as Dijkstra's geodesic) to connect the projected electrode locations on the anatomical map surface. 3. Visual indication of connected paths between pairs of projected electrode positions is created by limiting the geodesic paths between projected electrode positions to a clinically acceptable range (e.g., less than a predetermined threshold path length). This step provides greater certainty to the nearest electrode that produced the continuous ablation than could be indicated by other means by the map position. 4. If the connection between the projected electrode positions does not result in effective ablation due to the catheter's shape (for electrodes that are not part of a bipolar ablation sequence and do not result in effective ablation between them), a visual indication of the potential gap along the pathway is created. When such a process is applied to a loop ablation catheter, the processor indicates the pathway between the projected proximal-distal electrode positions as the ablation gap of the proximal-distal electrode that was part of the ablation sequence. For example, a physician may turn on only 2-8 electrodes instead of 1-10 electrodes, and therefore the gap would be between electrodes 2 and 8. 5. By repeating steps 1-4 for each ablation instance, connected pathways are revealed, and previous indications of potential gaps along the same pathways are overridden. As more ablation instances are analyzed, this step removes potential false-positive indications of ablation gaps from the map.

[0012] The disclosed technology is presented in relation to loop catheters, but the disclosed technology is applicable to other catheter shapes such as multispline, flower, grid, or basket, with necessary modifications.

[0013] Since mapping procedures typically acquire far more data points and use more flexible catheters, and therefore result in mapping tag position errors that still exist in these diagnostic maps, the disclosed techniques may also be applied with necessary modifications to improve diagnostic mapping accuracy or reduce diagnostic mapping time.

[0014] System Description Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of a catheter-based electroanatomical (EA) mapping and ablation system 10 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0015] System 10 includes a loop ablation catheter 14, which is percutaneously inserted by a physician 24 through the patient's vascular system into a cardiac chamber or vascular structure (as shown in inset 45) of the heart 12. Typically, the delivery sheath catheter is inserted into a cardiac chamber, such as the left or right atrium, near the desired location in the heart 12. The catheter 14 can then be inserted into the delivery sheath catheter to reach the desired location. Multiple catheters may include a catheter dedicated to pacing, a catheter for sensing intracardiac electrogram signals, a catheter dedicated to ablation, and / or a catheter dedicated to both EA mapping and ablation. The exemplary catheter 14 shown herein is configured to sense bipolar electrograms and apply PFA. The physician 24 ablates the target site within the heart 12 by bringing the distal end assembly 28 of the catheter 14 into contact with the cardiac wall.

[0016] As shown in inset 65, the distal end assembly 28 includes a plurality of electrodes 26 distributed on a curved spline 22. The catheter 14 may include a position sensor 29 embedded in or near the distal end assembly 28 to track the position and orientation of the distal end assembly 28 on the shaft 46 of the catheter 14. Optionally, and preferably, the position sensor 29 is a magnetic-based position sensor including three magnetic coils for sensing three-dimensional (3D) position and orientation.

[0017] The magnetic-based position sensor 29 may operate in conjunction with a position pad 25 which may include a plurality of magnetic coils 32 configured to generate a magnetic field within a given working volume. The real-time position of the distal end assembly 28 of the catheter 14 may be tracked based on the magnetic field generated by the position pad 25 and sensed by the magnetic-based position sensor 29. Details of the magnetic-based position sensing technology are described in U.S. Patents No. 5,5391,199, No. 5,443,489, No. 5,558,091, No. 6,172,499, No. 6,239,724, No. 6,332,089, No. 6,484,118, No. 6,618,612, No. 6,690,963, No. 6,788,967, and No. 6,892,091.

[0018] System 10 includes one or more electrode patches 38 positioned for skin contact with the patient 23 to establish a position reference for the positioning pad 25, as well as impedance-based tracking of the electrodes 26. For impedance-based tracking, a current is directed to the electrodes 26 and sensed by the electrode skin patches 38, thereby allowing the position of each electrode to be triangulated through the electrode patches 38. Details of impedance-based position tracking techniques are described in U.S. Patents 7,536,218, 7,756,576, 7,848,787, 7,869,865, and 8,456,182.

[0019] The recorder 11 displays cardiac signals 21 acquired using surface ECG electrodes 18 (e.g., electrophoresis obtained at each tracked cardiac tissue location) and intracardiac electrophoresis obtained using electrodes 26 of the catheter 14. The recorder 11 may include pacing capabilities for pacing the rhythm of the heart and / or may be electrically connected to a standalone pacer.

[0020] System 10 includes an ablation energy generator 50 adapted to conduct ablation energy to one or more electrodes 26 configured for ablation. The energy generated by ablation energy generator 50 can include, but is not limited to, radiofrequency (RF) energy or pulse field (PF) energy, including monopolar or bipolar high voltage DC pulses (i.e., PFA).

[0021] The patient interface unit (PIU) 30 is an interface configured to establish electrical communication between the catheter, the electrophysiological device, the power supply, and the workstation 55 to control the operation of the system 10 and to receive an EA signal from the catheter. The electrophysiological device of the system 10 can include, for example, a plurality of catheters, position pads 25, body surface ECG electrodes 18, electrode patches 38, an ablation energy generator 50, a recorder 11, and the like. Optionally and preferably, the PIU 30 additionally includes processing capabilities for performing real-time calculations of the position of the catheter and for performing ECG calculations.

[0022] The workstation 55 includes a memory 57, a processor 56 unit having a memory or storage device loaded with appropriate operating software, and a user interface function. The workstation 55 optionally can provide a plurality of functions including: (i) rendering to model in three dimensions (3D) an endocardial anatomical structure and display a model or anatomical map 20 on a display device 27; (ii) displaying on the display device 27 a representative visual display or image of an activation sequence (or other data) compiled from the recorded heart signals 21 superimposed on the rendered anatomical map 20; (iii) displaying the real-time positions and orientations of a plurality of catheters within the heart chamber; and (iv) displaying on the display device 27 regions of interest such as locations where ablation energy has been applied. One commercially available product that embodies the elements of the system 10 is available as the CARTO (trademark) 3 system, obtainable from Biosense Webster, Inc., 31A Technology Drive, Irvine, CA, 92618.

[0023] In the disclosed example, the processor 56 executes an algorithm that generates an ablation map showing ablation gaps with improved reliability, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3.

[0024] In some embodiments, the processor 56 can comprise a general-purpose computer programmed with software to perform the functions described herein. The software can be downloaded to the computer in electronic form, for example, via a network, or alternatively or additionally, provided and / or stored on a non-transitory tangible medium such as magnetic memory, optical memory, or electronic memory.

[0025] This configuration of System 10 is shown as an example to illustrate a specific problem addressed by the embodiments of this disclosure and to demonstrate the application of these embodiments in improving the performance of such systems. However, the embodiments of this disclosure are not limited to this particular exemplary system, and the principles described herein may be similarly applied to other medical systems. For example, other multi-electrode catheter types, such as basket catheters, may be used.

[0026] Combined instructions for ablation As described above, the disclosed technology provides an algorithm for generating an ablation map that shows the ablation gap with an increased level of confidence, as determined by retrospective studies. Some of the algorithmic steps are illustrated in Figure 2, which is an analysis of one ablation instance, schematically illustrating the ablation indications (250, 252, 254) on the map surface 202 of the cardiac chambers after ablation of the cardiac chambers with a loop catheter 28 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0027] As can be seen from the figure, the position of the ablation electrode 26 is projected onto position 230 on the map surface 202 (240). The projection 240 of electrode 1 is not considered because its calculated projection distance (241) exceeds the threshold projection distance 242 (e.g., greater than 7 mm).

[0028] An edge electrode, such as the proximal electrode 1, may have two projections, one relative to the projection of electrode 2 and the other relative to the projection of electrode 10. Both projections are considered in this disclosure.

[0029] The disclosed algorithm divides the ablation instructions on the map surface 202 into three groups. Group 1: Indications 250 between adjacent electrode projection positions (e.g., 230A and 230B) on the map surface 202, indicating the path 260 for continuous ablation. Group 2: Indicators 252 between adjacent electrode projection positions (e.g., 230C and 230D) on the map surface 202, which also indicate the path 260 of continuous ablation despite the longer path length. For this purpose, a predetermined path length threshold 255 is set sufficiently high. This critical step provides further certainty to the nearest electrodes, such as (6, 7), and creates continuous ablation that can be considered by the length between projection positions, e.g., 230C and 230D. Instructions 250 and 252 are collectively referred to as the "first instruction." Group 3: Second indicators 254 between adjacent electrode projection positions (e.g., 230E and 230F) on the map surface 202, indicating the path of an ablation gap resulting from ineffective PFA between specific adjacent electrodes. In the case of the loop catheter 28 in Figure 2, the gap indicator 254 is located between the projection position of the proximal electrode 1 and the projection position of the distal electrode 10 of the catheter.

[0030] The ablation session includes many instances of the type shown in Figure 2. An ablation map based on the above analysis applied to multiple ablation instances is shown in Figure 3.

[0031] Ablation map based on combined ablation instructions Figure 3 shows an ablation map 300 of a cardiac chamber derived using the combined ablation instruction algorithm of the present disclosure, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The ablation map 300 is defined herein as an anatomical map 302 superimposed on / overlaid with grid ablation tags 304.

[0032] In the context of this disclosure, the ablation tags 304 are associated with grid ablation points defined by a 3D mapping coordinate system in their displayed grid. The ablation point grid densely (e.g., sub-millimeter) divides the 3D space. The density of the ablation tags is based on a dipole model of the PFA energy deposition around each electrode.

[0033] Map 300 also shows regions of ablation tags 304 that are graphically encoded 306 to indicate continuous ablation and graphically encoded 308 to indicate ablation gaps, based on instructions 250, 252, and 254 in Figure 2.

[0034] The ablation map 300 shows a graphically encoded ablation grid tag 308 to indicate possible ablation gaps. Instruction 254 in Figure 2 is an example of the derivation of the graphical encoding 308.

[0035] As mentioned above, Map 300 is also based on Instruction 252 in Figure 2, which is used to minimize misidentification of gaps. Map 300 helps physicians complete PFA procedures completely and minimize extra ablation.

[0036] Map 300 can be generated offline using stored data, or it can be generated during the clinical ablation procedure and updated in real time as the ablation procedure progresses.

[0037] A method for showing ablation on an anatomical map. Figure 4 is a schematic flowchart illustrating a method for generating a cardiac chamber ablation maps according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. According to the example presented, the algorithm performs a process in which, in a map reception step 402, the processor 56 receives an anatomical map 302 of the wall tissue of a portion of the cardiac chamber.

[0038] In step 404, the processor receives the electrode position, and during the ablation instance, it further receives the position of the catheter electrode 26 in the cardiac chamber.

[0039] Next, in projection step 406, the processor projects the electrode positions onto the surface 202 of the anatomical map 302.

[0040] In the check step 408, the processor checks the distance (241) of each projection (i.e., the distance between the electrode position and the projection position). If this distance exceeds a predetermined distance threshold, the processor drops the projection from consideration in the projection drop step 410. This step aims to improve the reliability of the disclosed method, as accepting excessively long projections may cause the algorithm to overestimate the ablation continuity, thereby potentially overlooking ablation gaps.

[0041] If the projection is valid, i.e., the projection distance (241) is less than a predetermined threshold projection distance 242, the processor, in the path discovery step 412, finds the shortest path between the projection positions of adjacent electrodes on the map 302, as shown in Figure 2.

[0042] In step 414, the processor checks, according to the shape of the catheter, whether there are projection paths that do not represent effective ablation, as found in step 412. In the example of the loop catheter 28, the projection path connecting the proximal (1) electrode position 230E and the distal (10) electrode position 230F represents the ablation gap (254). The gap between the proximal and distal electrodes is specific to many catheter types, and therefore, regardless of the characteristics of the projections, no ablation occurs between these electrodes.

[0043] In instruction step 420, the processor instructs the invalid path (254) to be a possible ablation gap.

[0044] After considering the invalid electrode pairs in step 414, the processor checks whether the shortest path between other projection positions of adjacent electrodes exceeds a predetermined threshold path length (255).

[0045] If the answer is "yes," the processor avoids directing that path in step 418. This step aims to improve the reliability of the disclosed model, as directing an excessively long path could cause the algorithm to overlook ablation gaps.

[0046] If the answer to step 414 is "no", the processor indicates the checked path as a continuous ablation path in path instruction step 422.

[0047] In the ablation tag generation step 424, the processor generates grid ablation tags 304 based on the instructions of steps 420 and 422. The tags are distributed according to a model of the PFA energy density within the tissue (e.g., a dipole model).

[0048] In the overlay process 426, the processor overlays (i.e., superimposes) the grid ablation tags 304 onto the anatomical map 302 to generate the ablation map 300.

[0049] In a graphical encoding step 428, the processor graphically encodes the grid ablation tags 304 (306, 308) to indicate ablation gaps. Graphical encoding of the tag ablation map may include coloring ablation tags on continuous regions with one color and ablation tags on ablation gaps with another color.

[0050] Finally, in the ablation map presentation step 430, the processor can present the graphically encoded ablation map 300 to the user on the display device 27.

[0051] The flowchart in Figure 4 is simplified to illustrate a single instance of ablation; however, in a real procedure, many ablation instances occur, and the processor can update the ablation map 300 multiple times during the procedure. As more ablation instances are considered, regions encoded as having gaps (308) may become encoded as continuous (306). The final ablation map 300 will not show gaps if the ablation session is fully executed.

[0052] Map 300 may be generated using offline data, or it may be generated during the clinical ablation procedure and updated in real time as the ablation procedure progresses. [Examples]

[0053] (Example 1) The method includes receiving an anatomical map of the wall tissue of at least a portion of the cardiac chambers (302). During the application of ablation, the positions of the electrodes (26) of the catheter (14) inside the cardiac chambers are received. At least a portion of the electrode (26) positions are projected onto the surface (202) of the map (240). The shortest path (260) is found between pairs of projected positions (230) of adjacent electrodes (26). Some of the paths are indicated by a first instruction (250, 252) for continuous ablation when the path (260) has a path length below a given threshold path length (255). Other paths are indicated by a second instruction (254) for ablation gaps based on the shape of the catheter. Grid ablation tags (304) are generated according to the first instruction (250, 252) and the second instruction (254) as well as the ablation model. The grid ablation tags are overlaid on the anatomical map (302) to generate an ablation map (300), and the tags (304) are graphically encoded (306, 308) according to the first instruction (250, 252) and the second instruction (254). The graphically encoded ablation map (300) is then presented to the user.

[0054] (Example 2) The method according to Example 1, wherein projecting a position (240) includes checking the distance (241) between the position and each projected position (240), and discarding one or more projected positions (230) whose distance (241) exceeds a threshold projection distance (242).

[0055] (Example 3) The method according to either of Examples 1 and 2, wherein finding the shortest path (260) includes finding a geodesic curve on the surface (202) of an anatomical map.

[0056] (Example 4) The method according to any one of Examples 1 to 3, wherein indicating the path of the ablation gap with a second indication (254) based on the shape of the catheter (14) includes, in the case of a loop (28) catheter, indicating the path generated by the projection of the nearest electrode (26) of the catheter and the most distal electrode (26) of the catheter as the ablation gap.

[0057] (Example 5) The method according to any one of Examples 1 to 4, which includes generating grid ablation tags (304) using a dipole model.

[0058] (Example 6) The method according to any one of Examples 1 to 5, wherein the graphical encoding (306, 308) of the tags (304) of the ablation map (300) includes coloring the ablation tags (304) on a continuous region with one color and coloring the ablation tags on the ablation gaps with another color.

[0059] (Example 7) The method according to any one of Examples 1 to 6, wherein the anatomical map (302) is an electroanatomical (EA) map.

[0060] (Example 8) The system (10) includes a display device (27) and a processor (56). The processor (i) receives an anatomical map (302) of the wall tissue of at least a portion of the cardiac chambers, (ii) receives the positions of the electrodes (26) of the catheter (14) in the cardiac chambers during the application of ablation, (iii) projects (240) at least a portion of the electrode positions onto the surface (202) of the map, (iv) finds the shortest path (260) between pairs of projected positions (230) of adjacent electrodes (26), (v) indicates a portion of the path with a first instruction (250, 252) for continuous ablation when the path (260) has a path (260) length that is less than a given threshold path length (255), and (vi) determines the second ablation gap based on the shape of the catheter. The system is configured to: (vii) indicate the other parts of the pathway with instruction (254); (viii) generate grid ablation tags (304) according to the first and second instructions and the ablation model; (ix) generate an ablation map (300) by overlaying the grid ablation tags (304) onto the anatomical map (302); (x) graphically encode the ablation map (306, 308) according to the first and second instructions of the pathway; and (x) present the graphically encoded (306, 308) ablation map (300) to the user on a display device (27).

[0061] The embodiments described above are illustrative examples, and it should be understood that this disclosure is not limited to those illustrated and described above. Rather, the scope of this disclosure includes both combinations and partial combinations of the various functions described above, as well as variations and modifications thereof that a person skilled in the art would conceive of from reading the foregoing description and that are not disclosed in the prior art.

[0062] [Implementation Method] (1) A method, To receive an anatomical map of at least some of the wall tissues of the cardiac chambers, To receive the position of the catheter electrodes in the cardiac chamber during the application of ablation, Projecting at least a portion of the position of the electrode onto the surface of the map, Finding the shortest path between pairs of projected positions of adjacent electrodes, When the aforementioned paths have a path length less than a given threshold path length, some of the aforementioned paths are indicated in the first instruction for continuous ablation. Based on the shape of the catheter, the other of the pathways is indicated by a second indication of the ablation gap, Generating grid ablation tags according to the first instruction and the second instruction and the ablation model, The process involves overlaying the grid ablation tags onto the anatomical map to generate an ablation map, The ablation map is graphically encoded according to the first and second instructions of the aforementioned path, A method comprising presenting the graphically encoded ablation map to the user. (2) The method according to Embodiment 1, wherein projecting the position includes checking the distance between the position and each of the projected positions and discarding one or more of the projected positions whose distance exceeds a threshold projection distance. (3) The method according to Embodiment 1, wherein finding the shortest path includes finding a geodesic curve on the surface of the anatomical map. (4) The method according to Embodiment 1, wherein indicating the path in the second indication of the ablation gap based on the shape of the catheter includes, in the case of a loop catheter, indicating the path generated by the projection of the nearest electrode of the catheter and the most distal electrode of the catheter as the ablation gap. (5) The method according to Embodiment 1, wherein generating the grid ablation tags includes using a dipole model.

[0063] (6) The method according to Embodiment 1, wherein graphically encoding the ablation map includes coloring ablation tags on continuous regions with one color and coloring ablation tags on ablation gaps with another color. (7) The method according to Embodiment 1, wherein the anatomical map is an electroanatomical (EA) map. (8) A system, Display devices and, It is a processor, Receive an anatomical map of at least some of the wall tissues of the cardiac chambers, During the application of ablation, the position of the catheter electrodes in the cardiac chamber is received. At least a portion of the position of the electrode is projected onto the surface of the map, Find the shortest path between pairs of projected positions of adjacent electrodes. When the aforementioned paths have a path length less than a given threshold path length, some of the aforementioned paths are indicated by the first instruction for continuous ablation. Based on the shape of the catheter, the other pathways are indicated by a second indication of the ablation gap. Grid ablation tags are generated according to the first and second instructions and the ablation model. The grid ablation tags are overlaid on the anatomical map to generate an ablation map. The ablation map is graphically encoded according to the first and second instructions of the aforementioned path, and A system comprising: a processor configured to present the graphically encoded ablation map to the user on the display device. (9) The system according to Embodiment 8, wherein the processor is configured to project the position by checking the distance between the position and each of the projection positions and discarding one or more of the projection positions whose distance exceeds a threshold projection distance. (10) The system according to embodiment 8, wherein the processor is configured to find the shortest path by finding geodesic curves on the surface of the anatomical map.

[0064] (11) The system according to Embodiment 8, wherein the processor is configured to indicate the path in the second indication of the ablation gap based on the shape of the catheter, by indicating the path generated by the projection of the nearest electrode of the catheter and the most distal electrode of the catheter as the ablation gap in the case of a loop catheter. (12) The system according to embodiment 8, wherein the processor is configured to generate the grid ablation tag by using a dipole model. (13) The system according to Embodiment 8, wherein the processor is configured to graphically encode the ablation map by coloring ablation tags on continuous regions with one color and ablation tags on ablation gaps with another color. (14) The system according to Embodiment 8, wherein the anatomical map is an electroanatomical (EA) map.

Claims

1. It is a method, To receive an anatomical map of at least some of the wall tissues of the cardiac chambers, To receive the position of the catheter electrode in the cardiac chamber during the application of ablation, Projecting at least a portion of the position of the electrode onto the surface of the map, Finding the shortest path between pairs of projected positions of adjacent electrodes, When the aforementioned paths have a path length less than a given threshold path length, some of the aforementioned paths are indicated in the first instruction for continuous ablation. Based on the shape of the catheter, the other of the pathways is indicated by a second indication of the ablation gap, Generating grid ablation tags according to the first instruction and the second instruction and the ablation model, The process involves overlaying the grid ablation tags onto the anatomical map to generate an ablation map, The ablation map is graphically encoded according to the first and second instructions of the aforementioned path, A method comprising presenting the graphically encoded ablation map to the user.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein projecting the position includes checking the distance between the position and each of the projected positions, and discarding one or more of the projected positions whose distance exceeds a threshold projection distance.

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein finding the shortest path includes finding a geodesic curve on the surface of the anatomical map.

4. The method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein indicating the path in the second indication of the ablation gap based on the shape of the catheter includes, in the case of a loop catheter, indicating the path generated by the projection of the nearest electrode of the catheter and the most distal electrode of the catheter as the ablation gap.

5. The method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein generating the grid ablation tags includes using a dipole model.

6. The method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein graphically encoding the ablation map includes coloring ablation tags on continuous regions with one color and coloring ablation tags on ablation gaps with another color.

7. The method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the anatomical map is an electroanatomical (EA) map.

8. It is a system, Display devices and, It is a processor, Receive an anatomical map of at least some of the wall tissues of the cardiac chambers, During the application of ablation, the position of the catheter electrodes in the cardiac chamber is received. At least a portion of the position of the electrode is projected onto the surface of the map, Find the shortest path between pairs of projected positions of adjacent electrodes. When the aforementioned path has a path length less than a given threshold path length, some of the aforementioned paths are indicated by the first instruction for continuous ablation. Based on the shape of the catheter, the other pathways are indicated by a second indication of the ablation gap. Grid ablation tags are generated according to the first instruction, the second instruction and the ablation model, The grid ablation tags are overlaid onto the anatomical map to generate an ablation map. The ablation map is graphically encoded according to the first and second instructions of the aforementioned path, and A system comprising: a processor configured to present the graphically encoded ablation map to the user on the display device.

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